It would take more than $500 million to upgrade schools, close some schools, build new ones and move students around to get the most effective use out of Jefferson County School District buildings, district staff told the school board last Thursday night.
The proposed five-year program, called the Preliminary Facilities Master Plan, could not be implemented without additional funding from voters. The district is facing a $26 million budget deficit and has no money to upgrade buildings.

A vehicle went out of control and hit a utility pole at Buffalo Park Road and Olive Street about 5 p.m. Jan. 7, leading to a power outage.

The pole landed in the street, forcing traffic to detour into the neighborhood, and it caused a power failure that affected 3,000 Xcel Energy customers in Evergreen and Conifer for about 90 minutes, according to Mark Stutz, spokesman for the power company.

Some 800 customers were without power until 4 p.m. Saturday, when repairs were complete.

The Arctic cold front that blew into Evergreen and Conifer on New Year's Eve turned into a windfall for plumbing companies and a minor tragedy for numerous homeowners who experienced flooding caused by frozen and bursting pipes.

One Conifer resident who was out and about at midnight Dec. 31 said her digital thermometer reported minus-12 degrees. It was so cold that the New Year's Eve party at Conifer Community Park ended about two hours before midnight.

Bergen Park Church has filed a request with the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Department asking for a rezoning of the property it now owns at Highways 65 and 74, west of the church.

The church has applied to rezone the property to include use as a church, something that was removed in a previous zoning action.

Bergen Park Church has been trying to acquire the land for years and finally purchased it in November for about $500,000, said Pastor Jim Demolar. "This was the third time, and the timing was right," he said.

Soon the Evergreen and Conifer area Girl Scouts will offer a sweet start to the New Year.
The annual cookie sale begins Jan.7, and the girls are gearing up for their best year ever. The sale will last until March 13, and beginning Friday, Feb. 18, they’ll be a familiar sight selling cookies in front of local grocery stores.
Troop 3632 in Conifer has 16 girls, and last year they sold 818 boxes of cookies, according to Carri Robinson, troop leader.